GEMS Paramedic Saves A Life

While providing medical standby to an event Paramedic Ryan responded to a call for “a man with trouble breathing.” Upon arrival at the scene, Ryan realized the patient was in cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart has a deadly arrythmia which causes the heart to stop. Ryan immediately started CPR and applied an Automated External Defibrillator. After 6 minutes of CPR and 2 defibrillation attempts the patient had regained a pulse. While Ryan was providing medical aid the to the person, an ambulance was being called. Upon arrival of the fire department and an ambulance the patient had regained pulses and was breathing on his own. The patient was transported to a local hospital where he underwent open heart surgery. Ryan’s quick actions and thinking led to the survival of a patient that was clinically dead.